Bernhard hartleb



v(No Model.)

B. HARTLEB.

PIANO ACTION.

No. 489,147. Patented'Oot. 28, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

BERNHARD IIARTLEB, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE WVM. KNABE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

PIANO-ACTION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,147, dated October 28, 1890. Apnlication tiled June 3,1890. Serial No. 354,095. (No model.)

.To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BERNHARD HAETLEB, a citizen of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, haveinvented certainnewanduseful Improvements in Piano-Actions; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in pianos, and more particularly to a repeating upright-piano action, its object being to provide means whereby the jack shall be maintained at all times in contact with the hammer-butt.

A further object is to construct a piano-action in such manner that a constant yielding pressure shall be maintained against the jack at a point in close proximity to its upper end, whereby said jack shall be kept at all times in contact with the butt.

A further object is to provide an adjustable connection between the key and the mechanism which actuates the hammer.

"With these objects in view the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, as hereinafter set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of an unpright-piano action having my improvements attached thereto, the supporting-rails being shown in section. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detached view, in perspective, showing the construction of the j ack and padded spring bearing thereon. Fig. 3 is a view of a modification.

A represents a support for the keys B, and O is an upright, to which the bars or rails l 2 3 4 5 are secured.

The jack-lever D is pivotally supported by an arm a, secured to the bar or rail 2. The j ack-lever D is made with a depending arm D', to the end of which apad b is secured. A rod c projects upwardly from the forward end of the key-lever, and is screw-threaded at its upper end for the reception of a connectingbar d. The bar d is provided at its upper end with a coating of plumbago or similar material, and is adapted to bear against the pad l) of arm D', whereby the jack-lever D may be vibrated. The bar d is preferably provided near its top with a series of perforations e for the reception of a suitable tool by which to turn it, and thus produce an adjustable connection between the key-lever and jack-lever D.

Pivotally supported in a bracket f, secured to the upper edge of the jack-lever D, is the jack E, and pivotally supported by an arm g, projecting from the rail 2, is the hammer-butt F, carrying the hammer F', said butt being provided with the usual padding h, against which the end of the jack E is adapted to operate. An arm proj ects at right angles from the hammer-butt F, and is provided at its free end with a shoe j, having a pad j ou its outer face and apad 7o at the lower end of its inner face. A spring G is coiled, as at Z, and secured at its lower end to the bar 3, its free upper end terminating at a point in close proximity to the upper end of the shoe E. At the upper end of the spring G is a block G', having a pad m on one face and a pad n on the other face. The jack E is provided on its face with a groove 0, coated with plulnbago or similar material, in which groove the padded block G' is adapted to bear and maintain the jack in contact with the hammer-butt, said block G normally bearing on the jack in close proximity to the upper end thereof. lf desired, the padded block G' may be dispensed with and the spring G made to bear in the groove o of jack E. Vith such construction the coiled spring usually placed under the short arm of the jack to maintain said jack in contact with the hammer-butt may be dispensed with. Should the key be struck unusually hard, the padded block will be prevented from leaving the jack by the pad 7c on the shoe j.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is*

l. In a piano-action, the combination, with a hammer-butt and a jack, of a spring having a rigid support at one end and arranged to exert pressure on the jack at the other end thereof, whereby the jack is maintained in constant contact with the hammer-butt, substantially as set forth.

2. In a piano-action,

the combination, with IOO a hammer-butt and a jack, of -a spring having a ,padded block at its free end adapted to bear on the jack, substantially as set forth.

3. In a piano-action, the combination, With a hammer-butt and a jack having a groove in one face thereof, of a spring having a padded block adapted to bear on the jack at its upper end and having a sliding movement in the groove thereof, substantially as set forth.

4. In a piano-action, the combination, with a hammer-butt, a shoe carried thereby, a pad on the shoe, and a jack, of a spring having a padded head located between the padded shoe andthe jack and bearing on said jack at its upper end, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of tWo subscribing Witnesses.

BERNHARD HARTLEB. Witnesses:

F. LEGGEMANN, J. L. HILDEBRANDT. 

